We have both been John Denver fans for many years. Attending many of his concerts, and joining the various fan clubs. We still spend many hours listening to his CD’s or watching videos, or just singing the songs we love ourselves.

 

We both consider ourselves very fortunate that we got to meet John Denver, during his final U.K. Tour, just six months before he died in 1997. Gill met him as he arrived at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and was even more fortunate to be photographed as she met him. (Pictured Above.)

 

Neil met John as he left the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. As he made his way towards the tour bus, John Denver took the time to shake everybody’s hands. As he shook Neil’s hand, Neil said “Well played John,” referring to the fine guitar playing we had all just witnessed. “Why thank you,” John replied, and smiled, and gave an extra squeeze of Neil’s hand.

 

Through John’s music we have met many friends, and continue to meet new friends upon our travels. Music is

a universal language, and is never more apparent than when you travel to somewhere really remote, play a few

songs, and suddenly everyone wants to get to know you. That happened to us just recently during our 2009

trip around Scotland. We went out to the Outer Hebrides, which is just about as remote as you can get in the

United Kingdom. During our stay on the island of North Uist we were staying at the Lochmaddy Hotel. As we

prepared to check in for our three night stay some of the locals were heading for the hotel bar. The hotel being one of the few focal points for the islands community. The locals must have spotted the guitar case

among our bags as we unloaded the car. (Neil never travels anywhere without one !!) Over the next few days

we got talking to several of the locals in the bar, and they began asking about what kind of music we do. So

we began telling them all about our shows, and the charities that we have helped, and the kinds of music we

play. To our surprise they had heard of John Denver. You might think that within the U.K. Everybody would

have heard of John Denver, but out on the Hebridean islands many people still only speak the gaelic language.

      On our final night in the bar we were persuaded to bring down the guitar to sing them a few songs. We

began playing to just a few people in the bar. Suddenly all the locals were picking up their mobile phones and

dialling like crazy. The hotel door kept opening and suddenly the bar was full. Half of the island had turned up

to listen, and in many cases, to sing along. They knew the words to many of the songs. We ended up playing

for about three hours.

       The following day as we checked out of the hotel, the manager thanked us for what we had done. He

also told us that some of the locals had told him that it was the best live music they had seen for years, and

that he should consider booking us regularly. So we have an open invite to go back any time we are passing by.

 

       John Denver himself used to tell stories of remote regions of the world knowing his songs. What happened to us on North Uist, gave us a similar insight, and restored our faith and belief in the music that we

love to sing.

 

The singer may be silent now, but the music lives on !!  Our shows are Our Tribute to all the wonderful songs and memories that he gave to the world. And to John Denver and all that he stood for.

                                                       Peace Our Friend !

John Denver

  (1943~1997)